Our trip to the West Coast of Ireland

We’ve just come back from a really lovely, much needed break in Ireland. For the last few years, we’ve been holidaying in Ireland at my parent’s house in Newport for a couple of weeks every Summer.

This year, we packed up in July and made the 13 hour drive (with a 2 hour ferry) from London to Holyhead and then from Dublin to Newport. You can find out how the journey went and the little things we do to survive a long journey with 4 children in a later post! 

I think this is now our fifth trip holidaying in Ireland and we still think it’s pretty much hands down a perfect place to holiday with little people. If it had the weather, it would beat most of the Mediterranean with its perfect beaches and surfing weather. Here’s some magical things to do in Mayo.

The kids love Ireland and are totally happy in nature’s playground- digging sandcastles, rock pooling, rock climbing, burying each other’s feet and enjoying the sea. Despite the freezing water, they are happiest jumping the waves in their wetsuits, body boarding and this year, my Dad bought along the dinghy from our childhood (a 25 year old dinghy!!) and they spent hours splashing about in that. Even Orla, aged 3 donned her wetsuit and found her sea legs skipping and jumping in the waves! This year, Finlay seemed more at home in the waves- spending hours wave jumping and being chased back to shore by the waves. Even Archie had a little dip and was not impressed when I took him out – he loved it but I was worried he’d get too chilly!

We are really lucky as the ‘Ireland house’ as we affectionately call it, is a really spacious 6 bedroomed house so there’s enough room for everyone and it’s in a beautiful part of Ireland with unspoilt beaches which are totally quiet so our kids can make as much noise as they like! If it was up to Elodie, we’d spend every day at one of the beaches (there are over 6 to choose from on the neighbouring island; Achill) she doesn’t mind the chilly waters, once she’s donned her wetsuit, she quite happily spends her time wave jumping, body boarding and swimming. 

The great thing about holidaying with my parents and Auntie Hannah too, is that there is someone else to help with the kiddos-particularly when we’re finishing up at the beach and trying to get everyone sand free and back to the car! My parents and my sister certainly have demonstrated endless love and patience. They probably need a holiday to recover from ours but they get medals for their efforts! 

We did a lot of exploring, rock-pooling, mermaid making and spent the majority of our time covered in mud, sand and seawater. The kids couldn’t get enough of it!